LOVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 5 -- xpedx today announced it posted $1.2 billion in e-commerce sales in 2006, up 35% over the prior year. The company said volume in the second half of the year was especially strong as a growing number of customers sought the advantages of electronic ordering and real-time purchasing management. xpedx, one of North America's largest industrial distributors, said it will continue expanding its e-commerce platform throughout 2007, including powerful new catalog search and invoicing capabilities and new site features for businesses operating outside North America. xpedx e-commerce is conducted via xpedx.com as well as direct connections with customer computer systems. "Customers are making our online platform an integral part of their business because it allows them to more closely manage their spending, it makes their supply chain more efficient, and it's convenient," said xpedx President Tom Kadien. "xpedx will continue to place a high priority on investments in our e-commerce platform-it yields big dividends for our customers and our company." xpedx e-Business Director David Wallace said that xpedx customers placed 5.5 million orders electronically in 2006. He said xpedx e-commerce sales have grown 35% per year since 2003 and noted businesses with operations outside North America are among those using the company's e-commerce services. xpedx.com alone has more than 14,000 customers using its system. Wallace cited the ease of use of xpedx.com, its many functions and customer options as key reasons for the company's strong e-commerce growth. A team of e-Business specialists helps customers maximize the benefits of the site and a highly responsive support staff is available to answer any questions or respond to needs. xpedx distributes printing papers, graphics, packaging and facility supplies and equipment and provides specialized services including business/operations consulting and third party logistics services for large companies worldwide. Customers across North America using xpedx e-Business services include commercial printers, in-plant printers, manufacturers, retailers, building service contractors, facility managers and the hospitality industry. Customers cite xpedx.com advantages xpedx.com is one of the largest business-to-business e-commerce portals on the Internet and the largest providing paper, graphics, packaging and facility supplies, with more than 100,000 SKUs available. xpedx.com complements the extensive xpedx sales, customer service and technical teams and is part of the overall service offering to xpedx customers. Customers say xpedx.com helps them reduce total procurement costs and employee time associated with ordering supplies and equipment. The site features customer-created lists of frequently ordered products, a personalized tools page and a robust product catalog. xpedx.com also helps customers better manage supply chains and product inventory levels, key components in productivity and profitability. The site provides in-depth specifications, real-time pricing and inventory checks for all products. Order histories can be downloaded, making it easier for buyers to keep track of orders, buying patterns and to maximize inventory management. xpedx has more than 10 million square feet of warehouses and distribution centers nationwide-105 locations coast to coast-with deep inventories. Everything xpedx stocks is available via the website and products not stocked by xpedx can be ordered online. A staff of experts assists customers in integrating xpedx.com and other relevant xpedx e-commerce solutions into their businesses. In addition, a dedicated help desk for xpedx.com and other e-Business needs is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST by calling 877-269-1784.